Writer’s Block: It’s All In Your Head
I’ve been wanting to get something off my chest for a long time.
I don’t believe in writer’s block. To me, it doesn’t exist. If it does for you, then let me assure you that it’s all in your head. It’s just an excuse for procrastination.
Now I don’t mind procrastinating. Everyone does it. I procrastinate more than I should and it usually means I don’t write.
It’s the writers who try to pass off their procrastination as a writer’s block that I have a problem with.
Over at Procratinating Writers, Jenniffer has an excellent post on writer’s block. Like me she doesn’t believe in it. According to her, there’s no such thing as a writer’s block. I couldn’t agree with her more!
If you’re unable to write, it’s because you’re procrastinating, have something better you want to do or something is holding you back – and no, it’s not writer’s block that’s holding you back. Or maybe, just maybe, you just don’t want to write. There’s no law stating that as a writer, you must write everytime you think you should.
So the next time you think you have writer’s block, ask yourself whether you even want to write? Maybe you just want to watch TV.
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About Samar
Samar is a freelance writer, blogger and social media enthusiast.
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April 25, 2011
at 3:40 pm
OK, I'm off to reading Jennifer's post now, but I have to say I have two different thoughts on writer's block. I don't believe in it when it comes to writing non-fiction. It is easy to find new ideas, you just need to know how to hunt them down, and how to keep the ones that come naturally to you.
But with fiction, it is a different story – at least with me. I need a story that will motivate me to write about it. I need a great idea, great characters and intriguing events. I need to be passionate about this fictional world- so passionate that the characters won't leave my head until they are all written down, and the pages printed out.
But even when I have these characters and story, sometimes I get stuck. It might be the search for perfection – so that the event will be enough of a catalyst for my character, and yet it will feel natural.
So trust me, I don't make excuses for procrastination:). It is what it is. Writer's block, for me, is not being happy with what I write, or not being able to write in a way that will satisfy me. Have you tried fiction, by the way?
April 28, 2011
at 2:25 am
Hey Pinar,I've dabbled with fiction a bit – but my style usually runs towards abstract writing. You have a point about the difference in writing fiction and non fiction.I'm with you on not being able to write in a way that will satisfy me. That happens in non fiction too and is different than writer's block I believe. Even if you're unhappy with your writing, you're still writing.
May 8, 2011
at 2:36 pm
That's an interesting point of view
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September 26, 2011
at 6:15 pm
Hey Samar
I don't know why so many people are writing about 'writer's block'… Maybe because I never experienced it myself. On the contrary, I am always full of ideas and craving to write for myself but the clients are always hovering around to get their business helped by my flying fingers over the keyboard.
You have mentioned Jennifer, I have already read that post; Sean Platt of ghostwriterdad, Carol Tice of MakeALivingWriting, Coppyblogger … browse any of these blogs and you will find a post on writer's block.
But I enjoyed this post Samar, thanks